This is a post I placed on a discussion board at genelogy.com. Haven't had a reply.

Seeking information on a William Cone, private,(1818 - Feb. 15, 1864). Enlisted Aug. 21, . Listed in the national cemetary register as dying Feb. 15, 1864 in Washington, D.C. 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment. Roster from the Nat. Park Service site lists him as a member of the 1st Maine HA regiment. However, headstone at Arlington National Cemetary has NY instead of Maine on it. Confusing. He's noted in the regiments roster. Headstone next to his has ME on it but during my visit failed to note that persons name. Would like to clarify this and gain more family information regarding him.

There are two entries for William Cone at Arlington, one listed as 1ME HA, and one with no unit designation, but matching death date, 15 Feb 1864.

It is a certainty that Brother Cone served with the Maine Artillery. Since he lies with other Maine Men, I would say that a mistake was made. It may be possible to correct this, and place another marker. Whether or not the VA will undertake this is a question, and whether or not they would let the family pay and place a new marker is another, as I do not know Arlington's policy. An intriguing prospect.

Thanks JD and Hank for your replies. One of my problems with this situation is that I'm unable to obtain any of his birth/history data through my sources. My suspicion is that he was indeed born in NY being that I have a large NY/Connecticut Cone limb of my family tree. Still a quandry but this is the sort of mystery I enjoy attempting to solve. Thanks again for your help and let me know if I can ever be of assistance.

Organized at Bangor as 18th Infantry and mustered in August 21, 1862. Left State for Washington, D. C., August 24. Designation changed to 1st Heavy Artillery January 6, 1863. Company "L" organized January, 1864, and Company "M" February, 1864. Attached to Defences of Washington, August, 1862, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Haskins' Division, 22nd Army Corps. Defences North of the Potomac to May, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 24, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to July, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to June, 1865. 3rd Brigade, Hardin's Division, 22nd Corps, to September, 1865.
SERVICE-Duty in the Defcnces of Washington, building and garrisoning Batteries and Forts. Eight Companies at Fort Alexandria, Company "E" at Batteries Vermont and Mattox, Company "K" at Batteries Cameron and Parrott, August 26, 2862, to May 15, 1864. Moved to Belle Plains, Va., May 15, 1864, as a part of Tyler's Heavy Artillery Division. Rapidan Campaign May 18 to June 15. Harris' Farm, Fredericksburg Road, May 19. (82 killed, 394 wounded, 5 missing; total 481.) On line of North Anna May 20-23. North Anna May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey River May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-5. Barker's Mills June 5-12. Before Petersburg June 16-19. Hare's House, Assault on Petersburg, June 18. (Sustained greatest loss of any one Regiment in any one action of the war. 685 killed and wounded out of 900 engaged.) Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Weldon Railroad June 22-23, 1864. Picket duty at Deserted House till July 28. Demonstration on north side of James River July 27-29. Deep Bottom July 27-28. Duty at Hare's House till August 12. Demonstration on north side of James River August 13-20. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. Near Fort Sedgwick till September 30. Poplar Springs Church September 30-October 2. Yellow House October 1. Squirrel Level Road Octobcr 2. At Fort Sedgwick October 6-24. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. Warren's Hicksford Raid December 7-12. Hatcher's Run February 5-7, 1865. Armstrong House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. South Side Railroad March 29. Boydton Road and White Oak Ridge March 29-31. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Jettersville April 5. Amelia Springs and Sailor's Creek April 6. Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Moved to Washington, D. C., May 9-16. Grand Review May 23. Garrison Forts in the Defences of Washington from Fort Washington to Fort Mahone June 27 to September 11. Mustered out September 11 and ordered to Bangor, Me. Discharged September 20, 1865. Of all Regiments in army this Regiment sustained greatest loss in battle. 23 Officers and 400 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 260 died of disease, etc. Total 683.
Predecessor unit:
MAINE VOLUNTEERS
18th REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Organized at Bangor and mustered in August 21, 1862. Left State for Washington, D. C., August 24, and duty in the defences of that city till January 6, 1863. Designation of Regiment changed to 1st Maine Heavy Artillery January 6, 1863, which see.